Officials unveil Creole Nature kiosks

Local officials and business leaders unveiled kiosks Wednesday in two locations on the Creole Nature Trail All-American Road,
which will serve as a guide for people traveling along the 180 mile route.

One kiosk is located on Ruth Street in Sulphur in front of the Stine Lumber Company store, and the other is at Brown’s Food
Center in Hackberry.

Monte Hurley, chair of the District Board of Commissioners for the trail, said the Sulphur kiosk “marks the beginning of the
trail.” He said both kiosks can withstand bad weather and other conditions that damaged other signs that were placed along
the trail in the past.

Four more kiosks will be placed later this month in other locations within Calcasieu and Cameron parishes. They will be located
at Chesson’s Grocery on La. 27, the byways pull-off south of Wetland Walkway on Sabine National Wildlife Refuge, the west
side of the Cameron Ferry Landing and the Southwest Louisiana Convention and Visitors Bureau.

The project was funded by grant money from the Federal Highway Administration’s National Scenic Byways Program. The kiosk
was built by the Century Group Inc.

Kyle Edmiston, assistant secretary for the state Office of Tourism, said the trail had 250,000 visitors last year, which greatly
benefits the state’s economy.

Anne Taber Klenke, trail/and adventure tourism director for the Convention and Visitors Bureau, said people can vote for the
Creole Nature Trail to be featured on the video series called “American Collectors: American Detours.” The series features
classic cars on different scenic routes throughout the U.S. The voting ends Oct. 29.

Can someone clarify how and where the Creole Nature Trail is deemed to stretch 180 miles? This seems very misleading to the public given that the entire state from north to south is a little over 230 miles, and from east to west about the same. So, please explain.